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Saturday, 8 June 2013

Omar Abdullah, Chief
Minister of Jammu and Kashmir arrives at the
Chief Ministers' Conference on Internal Security in New Delhi on Wednesday. Photo: S.
Subramanium.

The Hindu Omar
Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir
arrives at the Chief Ministers' Conference on Internal Security in New Delhi on Wednesday. Making a strong pitch for phased removal of
the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, Jammu and Kashmir Chief
Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday asked the Centre to set in motion a
mechanism which could guide in repealing of the act from the state.

Highlighting the
situation in the State improved continuously, he said the year 2012 was by far
the best in the past 25 years in terms of all parameters and all indices of
violence have shown a constant and continuous decline.“The percentage of terrorist related incidents
have decreased by 35 per cent during the year 2012 as compared to the year
2011. During the year there has been a significant decline in all types of
causalities, 54 per cent of security forces and 40 per cent of the civilians,”
Mr. Omar said in his speech at the Chief Minister’s Conference on Internal
Security being chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

“Most people will
share my optimism that the overall security situation in the state of Jammu and
Kashmir has improved significantly, and as of now, there are many districts of
the state which have not witnessed militancy related incidents for quite some
time,” he said, adding this “gives us the confidence” that some of special laws
like AFSPA need to be revisited.“I have
been consistently advocating for phased withdrawal of AFPSA from the state, in
the beginning from the areas which have been free from militancy for quite some
time,” he said and cited the recommendation of working groups set by the Prime
Minister as well as report of interlocutors who also recommended revocation of
AFPSA.“Keeping in view the improved
security scenario, I would strongly urge the government of India to set in
motion a mechanism which can guide us for the removal of AFPSA,” he said.

Advocating for early
resumption of talks with separatists as well as Pakistan, Mr. Omar said, “I am of
the firm belief that all outstanding issues, however contentious they may be,
can be resolved through a process of sustained and sincere dialogue. “I
strongly hold the position that a constructive and a meaningful dialogue with
people holding different shades of opinion in the state can narrow down the
differences and facilitate towards a common agreed solution,” he said. Similarly,
there is also a need to resume the dialogue with the neighbouring country and
further add to the list of confidence building measures, he said.“The improved relations between India and Pakistan
have a definite positive impact in the security situation in the state of Jammu and Kashmir,” Mr.
Omar said.

The Chief Minister
said that the youth of the state had been making great strides in education and
other fields as the number of candidates qualifying the central civil services
examination was increasing year after year. “... However, our students pursuing
studies outside the state in different parts of the country and those in other
professions need a conducive and safe environment to enable them to realise
their dreams and contribute in nation building,” he said and appealed to other
Chief Ministers as well as the Centre to promote and provide safe environment
to the people of the state who are pursuing their studies and vocations. “This
will be a positive step in boosting their confidence and encourage them to move
to different parts of the country for seeking educational and employment
opportunities,” he said.